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["Question","Answer","Category"]
["Can you explain and define the requirements of a \"start up\" -- as well as the ownership requirements and 60% requirements?","Only Project Teams led by independently incorporated startup businesses are eligible to apply for funding.  The startup business designated as the Prime Recipient must incur at least 60% of expenditures under the project, as measured by the Total Project Cost.  Failure to clearly demonstrate this qualification may lead to a determination that the team is not eligible for award. 40% of the award funds could be spent by a domestic or non-domestic entity, the rationale for the distribution of funds would need to be clearly articulated. The work would need to be performed within the U.S. per Section III.A.4 “Performance of Work in the United States.”  Expenditures incurred for the use of facilities, including laboratories, by Prime Recipient personnel counts towards the Prime Recipient’s share of the Total Project Cost.     "]
["What formation stage does the corporation need to be in to meet the Jan 13th submission requirements?","It is not necessary for an applicant to be incorporated at the time of application; however, the applicant must be incorporated by the time the award is issued, should they be selected and successfully negoiate for a DOE award. DOE encourages applicants to get incorporated as soon as possible as this process can take some time."]
["I noticed that this funding opportunity mentions Community Solar, what types of community solar programs do you think would be a fit for this opportunity?","The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) defines community solar as \"a solar-electric system that, through a voluntary program, provides power and/or financial benefit to, or is owned by, multiple community members.\" For more information about Community Solar, please visit NREL's \"A Guide to Community Solar: Utility, Private, and Non-profit Project Development\" <http://www.nrel.gov/docs/fy11osti/49930.pdf> "]
["Where/when will this slideshow be available to print?","This webinar will be available on the Funding Opportunity Exchange website at the following link: https://eere-exchange.energy.gov/#FoaId10f7a53a-0acb-4e08-a95f-067544d0f2c4"]
["Is the Solar Software PV Soft Cost Reductions letter of Intent due next week on the  Dec 16th?","Optional Letters of Intent are due by 5 PM ET, January 7, 2014, and should be submitted to: sunshot.inubator@ee.doe.gov."]
["What can be the form of cost share? Should it be in the form of cash?","Every cost share contribution must be allowable under the applicable Federal cost principles, as described in Section IV.H.1 of the FOA.  \nProject Teams may provide cost share in the form of cash or in-kind contributions.  Cash contributions may be provided by the Prime Recipient or Sub-recipients.  Allowable in-kind contributions include but are not limited to personnel costs, indirect costs, facilities and administrative costs, rental value of equipment, and the value of a service, other resource, or third party in-kind contribution. The budget that is proposed needs to reflect actual costs whenever possible, meaning the applicant can show documentation proving the proposed costs will actually be spent for every item. Project Teams may use funding or property received from state or local governments to meet the cost share requirement, so long as the funding or property was not provided to the state or local government by the Federal Government.\n"]
["A new topology of power electronics converters with higher efficiency would be a good fit for this grant opportunity?","Areas of programmatic interest are listed section I.C of the FOA."]
["How does the deliverables requirement apply to soft-cost innovations? (i.e. what if your innovation involves financial or permitting enhancements that aren't easily demonstrated by a \"hard good\"?","The exact nature of the deliverables and how they will be quantified will be decided in the negotiation phase. Deliverables should show progress on all aspects of the project during a specific time period consisting of multiple components. Your deliverables schedule should include more than one item per deliverable period, and should serve as an all-encompassing checkpoint on the project’s progress. At the very least, the applicant needs to have a technical component and a business progress/customer engagement component. DOE expects Tier 1/1S and Tier 2/2S awardees to communicate with customers early and often. This means about once a quarter the applicant will need to demonstrate significant progress and proof by providing a deliverable which may require several separate measurements on different deliverable components.  Please refer to page 50 of the FOA document for further information."]
["Is it possible to review the concept papers and/or applications of previous Sun Shot winners?","Due to their proprietary nature, it is not possible to view previously submitted applications and concept papers."]
["Can a Tier 2S project be proposed without having a prior 1S?","Yes. "]
["could we send an email to ask if a particular subject is interesting to the program?","The full spectrum of technologies and non-hardware solutions relevant to the conversion of sunlight into electricity will be considered for funding. Please see the “Areas of Programmatic Interest” section of the FOA for further information. "]
["The FOA states that an applicant can submit multiple Concept Papers.  Can applicants submit one hardware and one software full application?","Yes. "]
["Can you site again where to find the rules on in kind cost share?","Please refer to section IIl.B.1 of the FOA. Project Teams may provide cost share in the form of cash or in-kind contributions.  Cash contributions may be provided by the Prime Recipient or Sub-recipients.  Allowable in-kind contributions include but are not limited to personnel costs, indirect costs, facilities and administrative costs, rental value of equipment, and the value of a service, other resource, or third party in-kind contribution. The budget that is proposed needs to reflect actual costs whenever possible, meaning the applicant can show documentation proving the proposed costs will actually be spent for every item. Project Teams may use funding or property received from state or local governments to meet the cost share requirement, so long as the funding or property was not provided to the state or local government by the Federal Government."]
["Are sub-contractors considered to be team partners who must submit application papers or just passive vendors?","This depends on the nature of involvement of the sub-contractor. If the sub-contractor will be expending award costs and substantially contributing to the product development  they would be a team partner. If the sub-contractor is simply supplying a discrete service or product they would be a vendor. It is up to the applicant to determine the nature of the sub-contractors involvement and classify them accordingly.  Any sub-contractor/recipient with total project costs in excess of $100,000 will need to submit budget documentation in accordance with sections IV.D 6&7."]
["To what extent do targeted trials and customer feedback need to be undertaken towards project eligibility for Tier 2S?","See section I.E.5 of the FOA for further information. The entrance criterion for Tier 2S is an alpha product or capability ready for beta and/or Version 1.0 development and public release. This is intentionally vague so that a breadth of creative solutions is received. However, Tier 2S requires that something already exists and is already developed with early customer feedback. An example of a good entrance capability could be the demonstration of a solution working well in a single targeted trial. Tier 2S is designed to help with deployment and scale up costs. Significant work should have already been performed by the team on the proposed product.  A successful exit from Tier 2S would be a fully functioning product or solution available to the whole solar industry and/or public. "]
["What metrics and validation methods are expected as part of the concept paper or full proposal submission process to substantiate a “proven” cost reducing product and service?","Please refer to Section IV.D.2 of the FOA for further information about deliverables required for the Concept Paper and Full Application. In both the concept paper and full application the applicant will be asked to provide a Deliverables table. This table should illustrate the progress of the entire project from starting capability, through interim progress, to the final goal of the project. Please take care in the construction of this document as it is used heavily during the review process."]
["Are supplemental materials, such as letters of support and mockups of prototype design,   permitted as part of the application submission?","Letters of Support are permitted as part of the application. All letters of support should be relevant to the project being proposed."]
["Can the entity be a sole proprietorship?","Only startup businesses are eligible to apply for funding as Standalone Applicants."]
["Can a subcontractor share total project cost?","Yes. However, in accordance with section III.A of the FOA, a minimum of 60% of the total project expenditures must be incurred by the Prime Recipient."]
["Can outsourced software dev count toward cost sharing?","According to section IV.H.4 of the FOA, 100% of total project cost must be expended in the United States. This includes 100% of cost share as well."]
["Can private investment (VC or similar) be acccounted for cost share  requirements?","According to section III.B.4 of the FOA, cost share can be in the form of cash. If that cash is received from a private investor it can be used for cost share."]
["Does asking for a waiver of U.S. work performance negatively impact our application? Some software can be developed more cost-effectively if outsourced.","The DOE Contracting Officer has discretion to waive this requirement if he/she determines that it will further the purposes of this FOA and is otherwise in the best interest of the Government. If you would like to request a waiver see Section VIII.I.   "]
["Would you please specify again which FAR clause governs in-kind donations?","The DOE regulations on cost share and matching for for-profit organizations can be found at 10 CFR 600.313.\n\n10 CFR 600.313(a) sets forth the requirements of acceptable contributions.  One of those requirements is that the contribution, whether it be cash or in-kind, are not paid by the Federal Government under another award unless authorized by Federal statute to be used for cost sharing or matching.  There is no such prohibition against using state or local funds to meet cost share requirements, however if those funds were received by the state or local government through a federal award, they cannot be used as a cost share contribution for an award under this FOA."]
["If an energy storage device can reduce the overall cost of a solar installation, is a storage technology an acceptable submission?","Refer to Section I.C of the FOA for Areas of Programmatic Interest. An area of interest under the Grid Integration topic includes applications of energy storage that reduce the cost of solar energy and facilitate its widespread utilization. "]
["if a product has been privately funded and is ready to commercialize, yet currently out of money and never sold on the market, eligible for funding in this incubator?","Refer to section I.C of the FOA for further details about Areas of Programmic Interest. DOE understands that incremental improvements to existing products can be compelling and offer significant advantages; however, this program is not meant to fund business as usual activities in an existing product. DOE is not seeking applications of this type and they will be considered non-responsive to the objectives of the FOA. It is the responsibility of the applicant to show the value of the proposed work that would be funded with this opportunity. An incremental improvement is one that is intended to replace or improve the current product. "]
["Can the ideas combine solar and energy efficiency savings? Or does it have to be \"solar only\"","If the product or solution is outside of the scope of this FOA, the applicant should consider applying to other funding opportunities.  EERE funding opportunities can be found at https://eere-exchange.energy.gov/."]
["can other gov't facilities like NREL provide support to your project / concept paper?","See section III.A.2 of the FOA. FFRDCs and GOGOs are eligible to apply for funding as a member of a Project Team.  State and local government entities are eligible to apply for funding as a member of a Project Team."]
["Can you clarify \"contribution\" -- if we contribute X hours of time to meet the 20% requirement, does that time need to happen during each milestone, or can previous research count toward that 20%?","Please see section III.B.1 of the FOA for guidance on how often cost share must be incurred. With regard to previous research, please see section IV.D.8 of the FOA for guidance on Pre-Award Costs."]
["Can multiple concpet paper be submitted from a single entity?","Yes. "]
["Should applicants draft proposals based on the current state of their company, or based on the projected size / needs of the company when the grant would be awarded?","Applicants should draft proposals based upon the current state of their company. "]
["I thought that an earlier version of the FOA or a description of the FOA included an area of programmtic interest that included new or novel solutions incorporating smart meter data.  The FOA now includes language about \"Smart-grid compatible models\" and Green Button data in the discussion of areas of programmitc interest.  Is that the similar idea I read earlier?","Areas of programmatic interest are listed in section I.C of the FOA."]
["Is it ok for an Incubator 8 applicant to re-apply with a substantial change in business model (based on feedback etc.)?","Applicants may apply for funding if they received a Tier 0 and/or Tier 1 award under the prior SunShot Incubator Program.  However, Applicants are not allowed to apply for funding for a project or product that has already received a Tier 2 award under the prior Photovoltaic Technology Incubator Program or the SunShot Incubator Program.  Applicants that have previously received a Tier 2 award can only apply to this program with a new product or solution. "]
["The FOA mandates \"significant market research\" for non-hardware cost reductions. Can you describe what that might look like, or what requirements there are to demonstrate \"significant market research\"?","It is the applicant’s responsibility to research, understand and articulate the need for and impact of their proposed project. Citations should be used and assumptions should be listed wherever applicable. The lack of sources for assumptions is likely to significantly weaken the case an applicant tries to make."]
["CAN YOU CONFIRM UP TO WHICH POINT WE CAN ASK QUESTIONS OF DOE? That is before the application is submitted.","The submission deadline for Full Application questions is 5 PM ET, March 6, 2014."]
["What are the TRL equivalents for Tier 0, 1, and 2?","As an entrance criteria to Tier 0 a company should be able to demonstrate they have reached technology readiness level (TRL) 3. The entrance criterion for Tier 1 of this FOA is a lab-scale material, device, product, and/or process at TRL 4. The entrance criterion for Tier 2 is a technology with a demonstrated baseline of a commercially relevant (in both size and performance) prototype material, device, module, or system that can be brought to pilot production within an 18-month time frame, which is typically TRL 5. See page 20 of the FOA for further information."]
["Can you clarify / explain more on what 'Non Start-up entities can be sub-awardees for up to 40% of the award funds'? ","\"Non Start-Up entity\" refers to any entity from section III.A.2 of the FOA. With regard to the 40% of award funds, the Prime Recipient (defined in section III.A.1 of the FOA) must incur 60% of the total project costs, leaving 40% maximum to be expended by other members of the project team."]
["Do subs have to have established rates?","No. The exact rates may be determined during the negotiation phase. If your company already has established rates with the government from other awards or agencies, you may use those.  Please see the Indirect Rate Proposal Example doucment with help for developing rates."]
["Can a start up apply for their own initial application and support another universities application as well?","Yes. "]
["For the last round (8), how many applicants in total submitted intent, and what % were rejected? ","DOE does not discuss numbers of applications to this funding opportunity"]
["Can an applicant submit two applications for Tier 1 and tier 2 hardware awards with different projects?","Yes. "]
["We plan to spinout a separate startup in 1-2 years to pursue the specific technology that's we'd like SunShot to help us incubate-- but currently we're a <500 employee company anyways -- can we apply?","To be considered an eligible entity to receive an award, project teams must be led by a \"start up company\" incorporated within the U.S. at the time when the full application is submitted.  "]
["how many applications did you receive last year/expect this year?","DOE does not discuss numbers of applications to this funding opportunity"]
["If cost share is supposed to be submitted in equal installments, how do you report cost share that comes in a big chunk in a reporting period (like a piece of equipment)?  Do you just report a portion of it then carry the rest into the next invoce period?","Please refere to section III.B.1 of the FOA. \"Cost share may be incurred in equal installments over the life of the award.  In the alternative, the Prime Recipient may pay the entire cost share amount in the initial months of the award.  DOE will not accept any application to pay the entire cost share amount in the final months of the award. \" In the situation asked about here, an awardee may report cost share in a large chunk provided it follows the guidelines from the above section of the FOA."]
["If you are a new start up company without an established overhead rate is there a default rate?","No. The applicant should use their best estimate. Should the applicant be selected for award negotiation an rate may be determined at that point."]
["If you applied to earlier funding opportunity but your application was discouraged (you did not go ahead with the actual application), you have to mention this in your application ?","No."]
["if your technology was developed by previous DOE funding in 2008 will this help or support your project? how should this be documented in the concept paper?","Please see section IV.D.10 to see how Other Sources of Funding are handled. This kind of documentation may be used for funding over 5 years previous."]
["Is it ok for an Incubator 8 applicant to re-apply with a substantial change in business model (based on feedback etc.)","Yes."]
["On the last slide you specified that the primary on the project must be incorporated. In states that allow LLCs, is an LLC considered to be incorporated?","Yes, in addtion the applicant must have a current Duns and Bradstreet number as noted in Section VI.B.2."]
["On the last slide you specified that the primary on the project must be incorporated. In states that allow LLCs, is an LLC considered to be incorporated?","Yes, as long as they meet the definition of a startup company. "]
["Should the PI be employed by the company or start up?","The PI should be employed by the start-up. "]
["Can a for-profit submitter sub some work to a non-profit?","For-profit entities, educational institutions, and nonprofits are eligible to apply for funding as a member of a Project Team"]
["One of our developers will be living outside the US for most of 2014-15. Would paying him count as incurring costs outside the US? (Our company is incorporated in Delaware.)","Yes. Please see section III.A.4 of the FOA. A waiver (Section VIII.I) may be requested by the applicant and would have to be approved by the Contracting Officer."]
["The FOA mandates \"significant market research\" for non-hardware cost reductions. Can you describe what that might look like, or what requirements there are to demonstrate \"significant market research","In their concept paper and full application the applicant should display a thorough understanding of the market needs which they are trying to address. The concept paper and full applications are read by reviewers with an intimate knowledge of the industry and it should be clear to them that the applicant understands the relevant issues relating to their product or service and the applicable market."]
["The program is for for-profit companies.  Can the for-profit company use a non-profit, like a research institute, as a subcontractor?","Nonprofit organizations described in section 501(c)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 that engaged in lobbying activities after December 31, 1995 are not eligible to apply for funding as a Prime Recipient or Subrecipient. 501(c)(3) are eligible to be subrecipients but not prime."]
["To what extent do targeted trials and customer feedback need to be undertaken towards project eligibility (i.e. for Tier 2S)?","It is expected that customer interaction be part of deliverables as stated in section IV.D.2. The extent to which customer interaction is needed varies by product and should be proposed by the applicant. Customer interaction is stated as part of the criteria for Full Applications as stated in section V.A.3 of the FOA."]
["We are a start-up and as such we do not yet draw salary. Can the equivalent salary expense be considered to be in-kind contribution?","Yes. Provided there is proper justification for the salary value being contributed as in-kind (for example, previous pay stubs from other work validating the pay rate being invoiced for.  Pay rates must also me in accordance with Section III.B.4 of the FOA."]
["What if your PI is not fully employeed by the start up and holds a position at a university and is a consultant to your company?","Yes this person is eligible to be the PI."]
["Involvement of foreign sub-contractor / vendor In page 33 the project document specifies that all work 100% must be carried out in the US. Does this preclude any expenditures to a foreign sub-contractor  / vendor","40% of the award funds could be spent by a domestic or non-domestic entity, the rationale for the distribution of funds would need to be clearly articulated. The work would need to be performed within the U.S. per Section III.A.4 “Performance of Work in the United States.”  Expenditures incurred for the use of facilities, including laboratories, by Prime Recipient personnel counts towards the Prime Recipient’s share of the Total Project Cost.  As per section III.A.4, a waiver may be sought for this requirement at the descrision of the Contracting Officer."]
["what is an acceptable error margin for the budget estimation? e.g. is plus/minus 10% acceptable?","There is no set acceptable error margin.  All costs included in an applicant’s proposed budget will be reviewed for allowability, allocability, and reasonableness and are subject to negotiation."]
["Are ALL funds allocated to a project only released based on deliverables submitted? In other words, are SunShot funds for an approved project only disbursed as reimbursements?","Applicants are reimbursed for expenses incurred while achieving a deliverable.The Incubator Program uses a deliverable-based funding structure. Payment is only made when a deliverable is verified. Deliverables must be verifiable though a mechanism that the Applicant proposes and represents significant progress."]
["Can a previous Sunshot awardee write a letter of support for our application?","Yes, a previous SunShot awardee many write a letter of support."]
["What is the FOA number, it shows two different numbers in the website (last four digits 1031 and 0923)","The FOA number is DE-FOA-0000923"]
["What is meant by \"Smart-grid compatible models\"?","Products which are compatible with the \"Smart Grid\" and facilitate its operation to increase solar penetration on the US energy grid."]
["If the PI is a faculty, can he find a start-up and apply for this program?","Only startup businesses are eligible to apply for funding as Standalone Applicants. See Section III.A of the FOA."]

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